26/11 probe: India seeks details of Pak panel

The government has sought details from Pakistan on the judicial commission it plans to send to India to verify statements of officials who recorded the confession of Ajmal Kasab, the 26/11 terror convict, and the chief investigative officer. But it ruled out their cross examination.

The government has sought details from Pakistan on the judicial commission it plans to send to India to verify statements of officials who recorded the confession of Ajmal Kasab, the 26/11 terror convict, and the chief investigative officer. But it ruled out their cross examination.

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“A confirmation has also been sought that the commission would only record the statements of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate and Investigating Officer and that no cross-examination would take place,” Vishnu Prakash, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said.

“Pakistan has made a proposal for sending a judicial commission to verify the statements of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate and the Chief Investigating Officer, who recorded Kasab's confessional statement... Pakistan has requested for the views of the government of India on receiving and facilitating a judicial commission for recording the relevant evidence”, the spokesperson explained.

Earlier, Pakistan had rejected India’s suggestion for a video conferencing with Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate RV Sawant Wagule, the judicial officer who recorded the Kasab’s confession, and chief investigating officer Ramesh Mahale.